Colt 45 US Property

[Larry Lipps]

Guys,
A co-worker's brother in law died recently and they're interested in selling off his gun collection. While it sounds like he has some interesting stuff, the one thing that caught my ear was a Colt 45 ACP with Property of US Government stamped on the side. This sounded to me like it might be a WWII 45 which I've always had a desire to own. The problem is, I know nothing about them. I'm supposed to go this weekend and see his collection, but what are a few things to look for? What are some good and bad things to check out? Also assuming good condition, what would be a fair offer if it looks okay. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There's also an International Harvester M1 and a Luger in a holster, but I'll worry about those later.

[Gary Cain]

Hi larry,

Boy that is a tall order! My suggestion is to go to one of the Colt 1911 forums and study the hell out of it. You are really going to need to do a full crash course on the markings etc. Clawsons book is the best on the subject but they are selling for over 600 these days. As for value. If it is mint condition and correct then I see them regularly sell in the 3500 range. Obviously the more wear the lesser the money. Figure if it is just parts(in other words it is a complete put together piece of junk) that you are dealing with it is still worth a minimum of 500 dollars.


Good luck!
Gary

Guys,
A co-worker's brother in law died recently and they're interested in selling off his gun collection. While it sounds like he has some interesting stuff, the one thing that caught my ear was a Colt 45 ACP with Property of US Government stamped on the side. This sounded to me like it might be a WWII 45 which I've always had a desire to own. The problem is, I know nothing about them. I'm supposed to go this weekend and see his collection, but what are a few things to look for? What are some good and bad things to check out? Also assuming good condition, what would be a fair offer if it looks okay. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There's also an International Harvester M1 and a Luger in a holster, but I'll worry about those later.

[jacobtowne]

Clawson's "Collectors Guide to .45 Service Pistols" sells for $35, and is worth every cent when it comes to identification of variations of pistols and their parts.
JT

[Larry Lipps]

Thanks for the replies but unfortunately I have to make some sort of decision on the collection tomorrow. The wife just wants to be rid of the whole lot, so maybe it can be had at a price where I don't have to be an expert.

[Gary Cain]

It certainly sounds like it. Do you have to buy the collection or will she let you cherry pick? If you can cherry pick I would offer her 400 that way you are safe no matter what and tell her that you honestly don't know what it's worth.


Gary

Thanks for the replies but unfortunately I have to make some sort of decision on the collection tomorrow. The wife just wants to be rid of the whole lot, so maybe it can be had at a price where I don't have to be an expert.

[Larry Lipps]

Gary, the guy has 19 guns and she want's to dump the lot. Unfortunately I don't think I'll get to do any picking. Based on her husband's notes, she has a vauge idea what it's worth. The next problem is that from the descriptions, he has some really great stuff. I can see myself trying to figure out where I'm going to come up with 15K. I understand she put everything in a pile and let all the family members have whatever they wanted. This is just what's left.

M1 Garand
M1A Springfield
Belgium A5 Browning
Pre 64 Winchester Mod 70 30-06
Ruger Mini 14 SS
IBM M1 Carbine
Colt 1911 US Govt Property
Luger in Holster
3 Single Action Colt Revolvers
Several antique Winchester Lever Actions
2 28ga. Skeet Guns
Several unknown handguns
and approximately 10,000 rounds of ammo

Most of these I'm farmiliar with, other's I'm not. It's going to make for an interesting afternoon. Hopefully she'll let me take photos I can post ofer the weekend and make her an offer on Monday.

If my wife ever does this to my guns, she better make certain that the casket's locked tight.

[Gary Cain]

Hi Larry,

OK if you wish you can call me at 510 697 8814 when you are inspecting them and I can do computer research while you describe the stuff to me that I don't know the current values on. I am current on everything except the 28 GA shotguns. I can walk you through the other guns to determine completeness etc.


Gary

Gary, the guy has 19 guns and she want's to dump the lot. Unfortunately I don't think I'll get to do any picking. Based on her husband's notes, she has a vauge idea what it's worth. The next problem is that from the descriptions, he has some really great stuff. I can see myself trying to figure out where I'm going to come up with 15K. I understand she put everything in a pile and let all the family members have whatever they wanted. This is just what's left.

M1 Garand
M1A Springfield
Belgium A5 Browning
Pre 64 Winchester Mod 70 30-06
Ruger Mini 14 SS
IBM M1 Carbine
Colt 1911 US Govt Property
Luger in Holster
3 Single Action Colt Revolvers
Several antique Winchester Lever Actions
2 28ga. Skeet Guns
Several unknown handguns
and approximately 10,000 rounds of ammo

Most of these I'm farmiliar with, other's I'm not. It's going to make for an interesting afternoon. Hopefully she'll let me take photos I can post ofer the weekend and make her an offer on Monday.

If my wife ever does this to my guns, she better make certain that the casket's locked tight.

[Larry Lipps]

Just a quick report back, I ended up passing on the 45 (maybe stupidly) but I'll let you guys decide. The 1911 was actually of Remington Rand production (1943), not Colt. While it was marked as described, it was nickle plated. This just didn't look original to me. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos but I was in a big closet with poor lighting and I had to use my flash. The best they would do was $450.

On the side, it turns out the list I posted was only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the guns were of 1950's vintage. There was a minimum of 50,000 rounds in the house. Several of his father's footlockers from his service in WWII through Korea. We haven't even been through those yet.

[Larry Lipps]

And the markings on the gun,

[Gary Cain]

Larry,

You were smart to pass. Once it is nickeledit becomes the equivalent of a newer used pistol and those are bringing 400-500.


Gary